1. Telemachus Penelope Wife of Odysseus Courted by 108 suitors
Son of Odysseus
Roughly 20 years old
Favoured by Athene
Mentored by:
Peisistratus
Menelaus
Nestor
Telemachus
Wife of Odysseus
Courted by 108 suitors
Mother of Telemachus
Tricks suitors:
By extorting gifts
By weaving a shroud
Penelope

2. Eumaeus Philoetius Looks after Odysseus’ cows
Looks after Odysseus’ pigs
Used to be a prince
Was sold into slavery
Offers exceptional xenia
Helps kill the Suitors
Homer talks to him directly
Is a perfect example of loyalty
Eumaeus
Looks after Odysseus’ cows
Helps kill the Suitors
Rejects the Suitors’ greed
Is rewarded with freedom
Philoetius

3. Eurymachus Antinous One of the two main Suitors
Is known for being a liar
Is sleeping with Melantho
Tries to blame Antinous
Tries to kill Telemachus
Eurymachus
One of the two main Suitors
Known for being violent
Is the first Suitor to die
Throws a chair at Odysseus
Tries to kill Telemachus
Antinous

4. Eurycleia Athene A slave and nurse of Odysseus
Bought by Laertes for 20 oxen
Laertes didn’t sleep with her
Recognises Odysseus’ scar
Is trusted by Telemachus
Points out the disloyal maids
Eurycleia
Goddess of wisdom
Favours Odysseus
Helps to kill the Suitors
Arranges peace at the end
Comforts Penelope
Frequently helps Telemachus
Athene

5. Poseidon Polyphemus God of the sea Father of Polyphemus
Shipwrecks Odysseus
Is the main villain at first
Punishes Phaeacians
By turning ship to stone
Poseidon
Cyclops & son of Poseidon
Eats 6 of Odysseus’ crew
Is blinded by Odysseus
Curses Odysseus
Which causes most of his hardships
Polyphemus

6. Cicones Lotus-Eaters Eat the fruit of the Lotus flower Live at Ismarus
Are attacked by Odysseus
Rally and kill 6 men from each ship of Odysseus
First people visited after Odysseus leaves Troy
Cicones
Eat the fruit of the Lotus flower
3 of Odysseus’ crew become addicted
Odysseus drags them back himself
Lotus-Eaters

7. Aeolus Circe God of the winds Lives on Aeolus
Hosts Odysseus for 1 month
Gives him a bag of wind
Rejects Odysseus when he returns
Aeolus
Witch who lives on Aeaea
Turns half of the crew into pigs
Sleeps with Odysseus
Hosts Odysseus for 1 year
Gives him advice on Underworld
Gives advice on the Sirens/Scylla/Charybdis
Circe

8. Calypso Alcinous King of the Phaeacians Husband of Arete
Nymph living on Ogygia
Falls in love with Odysseus
Holds him prisoner for 7 years
Provides him with tools to build a raft
Sends a following wind
Saves Odysseus’ life
Calypso
King of the Phaeacians
Husband of Arete
Father of Nausicaa
Sends Odysseus home
Hears Odysseus’ story
In Books 9-12
Alcinous

9. Nausicaa Menelaus King of Sparta Daughter of Alcinous
Princess of Phaeacians
Meets Odysseus by a stream
Clothes and feeds Odysseus
Wants to marry Odysseus
Directs Odysseus to Alcinous
Nausicaa
King of Sparta
Husband of Helen
Hosts Telemachus (Book 4)
Had trouble getting home
Is reconciled with Helen
Menelaus

10. Nestor Peisistratus King of Pylos Old and known for wisdom
Father of Peisistratus
Advises Telemachus (Book 3)
Offers good xenia
Nestor
Son of Nestor
Accompanies Telemachus
Speaks to Menelaus
Is roughly 20 years old
Helps Telemachus’ growth
Peisistratus

11. Demodocus Amphinomous The ‘good’ Suitor
Disapproves of the Suitors’ violence
Is warned by Odysseus to leave
Ignores Odysseus’ advice
Is killed by Telemachus
Amphinomous
The blind bard of Phaeacia
Is revered by the Phaeacian people
Reduces Odysseus to tears
Trojan Horse song
Quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles song
Ares and Aphrodite song
Demodocus